The Talk of the Town

Yup...water.
Everybody's talking about it, whether in restaurants or clubhouses, on buses and on park benches.
Seniors, young families, new arrivals--and some who are departing for this very reason--all have huge concerns about burgeoning water rates under Greater Vernon Water's "leadership".

Or more accurately, the bureaucratic influence on brow-beaten Greater Vernon Advisory Committee members.

Interestingly, the water topic has the least amount of exposure in The Morning Star's Letters section, but one of three known letters did appear in today's edition.  Hallelujah!

"Water Woes, by Janet Green

There is little doubt that the current cost for water in Greater Vernon is unsustainable.

We are facing water bills that are three times higher than Kelowna and twice as high as Penticton.  It doesn't end there.

We are yet to be saddled with another two per cent increase for 2015.  The finger-pointing starts.  Where did we go wrong?

The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee reiterates the information received from the staff.  "The cost of water for Greater Vernon is the result of demands from Interior Health Authority".

Let's be very clear, IHA is not the case of the excessive water costs.

If IHA was responsible for the current escalating costs, then Kelowna and Penticton would also be facing the same cost escalation as Greater Vernon, since they also receive their licenses from IHA.

Instead, those communities have water rates which are substantially lower than those in Greater Vernon.

Let's place the problem where it really should rest.

Somewhere in 2002, GVAC selected Duteau Creek for 20 per cent of our domestic water supply.

The decision was based on a consultant's report which we now know to be missing some critical information.  

The reality is that we chose a less than optimal source of water and, the treatment required to meet the standards was complex and costly.

Yes, IHA was vigilant about ensuring the water supply met the standards.  The result is the cost escalation that we are subject to today.  This letter is not about placing blame or pointing fingers.

This is our plea to our elected officials, especially those with GVAC, to address this problem for the residents of the community.

Let's take another look at the master water plan before dumping any more money into Duteau Creek.

The Citizens for Change(sic) to the Master Water Plan have presented well thought out alternatives and I ask for the support of GVAC to take a fresh look."

Janet Green                                                        

Or at least, it shouldn't

"Brow-beaten elected officials don't seem to realize they've been had," offers Kia.

Until they're smart enough to out-smart the bureaucratic smoke 'n mirrors, can change really occur?

We've quit wasting water.

Now the Advisory Committee should quit "saving face".